The Ashes 2013-14: 3 Players who didn't deliver for England in the Ashes

The Ashes tournament of 2013-14 has been really one-sided so far. After the first three Tests, Australia lead the series 3-0, and thus have won the urn. Most of the England batsmen have not find their feet against the Australian bowlers, especially against Michael Johnson, who has been in real good wicket taking form, throughout the tournament so far.

The lose of Ashes from England is mainly due to the poor form of their batsmen and bowlers. And England’s fielding was also not up to the mark. The main three players whom England really expected to perform are :

1. Alastair Cook

Alastair Cook

Alastair Cook, the England skipper, is the one who really need to lead the team from the front. He has completed his 100th test match and so he is a vastly experienced player. Alastair Cook so far has scored only 154 runs from his 6 innings from the 3 test matches, averaging only 25.66. He made two half-centuries in the series so far, but failed to make it a big one. His highest score in the series is 72. An average of just 25.66 is not something we would like to associate with Alastair Cook.

Now, even if England has lost the series, Cook will try to win the rest two matches, and try to find some runs against his name, that will make himself feel better.

2. Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen has been really disappointing in the Ashes series, in which he always fell against the Victorian bowler Peter Siddle. Poor form is understandable, but making a consistent habit of it reflects poorly on the skills and the talent of a champion player. Kevin Pietersen is a naturally aggressive player. He always tries to keep the score-board ticking. One of his favorite shots is the flick through the mid-wicket region. Australia had really worked on their plan against KP. Australia kept one or two fielders in the catching mid-wicket region, and continuously bowled in-swinging delivers on middle and leg line, to which Pietersen does nit have an answer.

Kevin Pietersen so far has scored only 165 runs from his 6 innings, averaging only 27.50. He has made only one half centuries in the series so far, and his highest score in the series is just 53.

Kevin Pietersen had to focus on the game much more, and have to think well about his shot-selection. Otherwise, i’am worried that, we would not see him much more in the future.

3. James Anderson

James Anderson

James Anderson has been the one, who is really expected to strike for England with the ball. But, it’s sad to say that, he has been really disappointing. James Anderson is considered as one of the best fast bowlers of our generation. But, he hasn’t been performing up to his potentials.

From his 6 Innings, of the 3 test matches, Anderson has bowled for 123.1 overs giving away 409 runs, and taking only 7 wickets. Anderson’s strike rate in test cricket is 59.3, but he has been disappointing in the Ashes with a strike rate of 105.5. James Anderson’s bowling average in test cricket is 30.70, but in this Ashes series it has gone to 58.42.

If James Anderson had struck for England, with the new ball and as well as with the old ball, with his reverse swing, it would have really been a different ball game all together. Personally i feel that, he should have pitched his deliveries a bit more fuller, so that he can swing the bowl and invite the batsmen for a drive, and that’s where his strength is.